Meandering

Western slope of Fabbroni crater cavity. Image width is 1200 m, downslope is to the left, NAC M188050156R [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Young fresh lunar craters always present sharp and spectacular features. Today's Featured Image highlights the western slope of the Fabbroni crater located at the north edge of Mare Tranquillitatis, near the Apollo 17 landing site. Slope failures have created many narrow channels of granular material flowing down toward the center of the crater.

The reflectance of a material changes depending on various factors, such as the composition, grain size, and maturity. The crater cavity slope is composed of multiple layers and their debris. The mixtures of these materials exhibit various reflectances, which bring the flow features into sharp contrast.

Surrounding area of Fabbroni crater in WAC monochrome mosaic. Image center is 18.84°N, 29.29°E. The locations of full NAC frame (blue box) and today's Featured Image (yellow arrow) are indicated [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Explore these spectacular meandering flows in the following full NAC frame by yourself!